"76...early or late?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
"76...early or late?
Howdy folks. Ok, I've researched to no avail. I now know what a 'birdcage' is. I know why my '76 doesn't have the vents on the deck. I even know how to tell hand laminated 'glass from SMC, and why it matters. BUT, I can't find a way to tell an early '76 from a late '76. There are a few parts I need to start looking for where this matters. Is there an easy, sure-fire way to tell? Serial number, or special trim, seat style, anything?!? I'd sure appreicate any hints or suggestions.
Thanks! John
Thanks! John
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
I think a lot of times it just pays to research the part you are purchasing and figure out if it matches the part you are replacing. You should be able to tell approximately when your car was built by the serial number. For instance, my car is 1Z8749S450496. #50,496 out of 53,807 1979 model Corvettes built. Usually when there is a different part for early / late build '79's, my car takes the late build part.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Originally Posted by seventysixvette
Howdy folks. Ok, I've researched to no avail. I now know what a 'birdcage' is. I know why my '76 doesn't have the vents on the deck. I even know how to tell hand laminated 'glass from SMC, and why it matters. BUT, I can't find a way to tell an early '76 from a late '76. There are a few parts I need to start looking for where this matters. Is there an easy, sure-fire way to tell? Serial number, or special trim, seat style, anything?!? I'd sure appreicate any hints or suggestions.
Thanks! John
Thanks! John
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
C3 in Hawaii is correct, best way is the rear bumper, smaller recessed letters are early, larger not recessed, later. Or VIN
Aug 75 01602
Sep 75 05693
...
Dec 75 16696
...
Mar 76 28760
...
Aug 76 46558
Got all the months if you need them.
Aug 75 01602
Sep 75 05693
...
Dec 75 16696
...
Mar 76 28760
...
Aug 76 46558
Got all the months if you need them.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
Originally Posted by c3 in hawaii
One easy way is to check the rear bumper emblem, if it is original, the early 76's used the 6 1/2" and the lates used the 8 1/2" . Or you can decode the vin#
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Made in November of '75. Last one made in November was 413481
1972 to 1980
13 digit VIN Explination
Position
Description Code
1 GM division 1 = Chevrolet
2 Car line or series Z = Corvette
3 & 4 Body style 3 & 7 = two door coupe
6 & 7 = two door convertible
5 Engine type 1972 -> K = base, L = LT1, W = LS5
1973 -> J = L48, T = L82, Z = LS4
1974 -> J = L48, T = L82, Z = LS4
1975 -> J = L48, T = L82
1976 -> J = L48, X = L82
1977 -> L = L48, X = L82
1978 -> L = L48, 4 = L82
1979 -> 8 = L48, 4 = L82
1980 -> H = LG4, 8 = L48, 6 = L82
6 Model year GM decided to give the car 2 = 1972, 3 = 1973, 4 = 1974, 5 = 1975
6 = 1976, 7 = 1979, 8 = 1978, 9 = 1979, A = 1980
7 Assembly plant or location S = St. Louis
8 to 13 Production sequence number 400001 - ?
1972 to 1980
13 digit VIN Explination
Position
Description Code
1 GM division 1 = Chevrolet
2 Car line or series Z = Corvette
3 & 4 Body style 3 & 7 = two door coupe
6 & 7 = two door convertible
5 Engine type 1972 -> K = base, L = LT1, W = LS5
1973 -> J = L48, T = L82, Z = LS4
1974 -> J = L48, T = L82, Z = LS4
1975 -> J = L48, T = L82
1976 -> J = L48, X = L82
1977 -> L = L48, X = L82
1978 -> L = L48, 4 = L82
1979 -> 8 = L48, 4 = L82
1980 -> H = LG4, 8 = L48, 6 = L82
6 Model year GM decided to give the car 2 = 1972, 3 = 1973, 4 = 1974, 5 = 1975
6 = 1976, 7 = 1979, 8 = 1978, 9 = 1979, A = 1980
7 Assembly plant or location S = St. Louis
8 to 13 Production sequence number 400001 - ?
Last edited by burgdob; Oct 16, 2005 at 10:53 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
you might have a hard time determining if your car is an early or late. my 76 has both early and late parts on it so i guess you can call it a Mid 76 
i have the late rear bumper but i have no dome light between the t-tops. like some others have said you will have to research the parts that you have and order accordingly.anyways good luck and also just wanted to let you know that you own the best year corvette ever built 
i have the late rear bumper but i have no dome light between the t-tops. like some others have said you will have to research the parts that you have and order accordingly.anyways good luck and also just wanted to let you know that you own the best year corvette ever built
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
I also have a 76 and went through this problem, especially when replacing the missing radiator shroud and rusted-out support. In that case, since I was replacing everything, it didn't matter as long as all the pieces worked together (the plastic shroud that fits later models is much cheaper than the original metal one that was supposed to be on my car). Depending on exactly what the part is, you may or may not need to worry too much about the early/late issue.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 845
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Indiana
My dome light isn't between the t-tops, it's on the rear storage area under the window. I have a plastic radiator shroud. My radiator support brace was one of the reasons I'm trying to pin this down. It's starting to show rust in the lower corners. Thanks for all the posts! John
